Wilson High Students Take Roles As Borough Officials

May 29, 1985|The Morning Call

Some Wilson Area High School seniors got a taste of what their local government is all about during Wilson's annual Law Day program.

The students spent the day touring the municipal building and the police and fire stations, as well as the borough itself, with Mayor Edward Miller, Council President David Perruso, Police Chief Richard Nace and Fire Chief Willis Weidner.

They were shown what $20,000 did to upgrade the facilities at Meuser Pool, given the opportunity to study the 1985 municipal budget and the police contract and discussed the industries in the borough with the mayor.

Chris Meilinger of Wilson said that acting as mayor for the day was "cool." He said the students were driven around the border of Wilson, which he realized was "bigger than what I thought."

After studying the municipal budget, Meilinger commented, "I didn't think you took in and dished out as much money as you do."

Kathy Fouflias, also of Wilson, served as council president for the day. She said she was surprised to learn that Wilson is practically the only municipality of its size to maintain a paid fire department.

She said she also learned "how much industries play a part in the raising of the taxes," and she said she was surprised at the "exceptional benefits" the police officers receive.

Following the regular council meeting, the students took over the council chambers. They discussed parking problems in the borough and asked council if it would consider holding dances at Meuser Pool for teen-agers during the summer.

Perruso advised the students to contact pool manager Richard Knauss, who has approached the recreation committee with the idea of starting dances at the pool similar to the Palmer Township Lions Pool's "Dip 'N Dances."

Meilinger asked Nace what action he would take if he knew teen-agerswere drinking at a graduation party even if they weren't causing a commotion. Nace answered that he would have the authority to go in and break up the party and arrest the teen-agers for underaged drinking.

"What if the parents would take the responsibility?" Fouflias asked.

Nace responded, "I would arrest the parents too. I can't give permission to break the law."

Other participants included Brian Leidy of Williams Township, Carolyn Chegwidden of West Easton, and John Fulmer and Mike Hawk, both of Wilson.

The students, who were selected by their classmates to participate in the program, were treated to a lunch at P&J's Restaurant.

During council's regular meeting last night, it was decided that parking will be limited to two hours on certain streets for a 90-day trial period. Numerous residents in those areas complained earlier this month that there was no room to park in front of their own homes because Easton Hospital employees were parking there instead of in the hospital parking lot.

Within the next week, a two-hour parking limit will be in effect in the 1900 block of Ferry and Lehigh streets, Fairview Avenue and Washington Boulevard; 2000 block Washington Boulevard, Ferry Street and Hay Terrace; 2100 block of Ferry Street and the 2200 block of Fairview Avenue.

The two-hour parking, which will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, will affect anyone who doesn't reside in those areas. Stickers will be provided to residents of those streets, who are not affected by the parking time limit, to identify them. Three stickers will be given to each household, including one for a visitor.